“Don’t Look Back” Denied by Apple for Criticizing Microtransactions

While we just posted about plans for a mobile VVVVVV port, more news comes out of developer Terry Cavanagh today. Cavanagh had intended to release his flash game “Don’t Look Back” for free on iOS this week, yet today announced that it had been denied by Apple. The reason?

That’s right: it was denied because of the line in the game’s description stating “there are no in-app purchases or any of that nonsense.” Cavangah tweeted the link to the approved Android version, which had the same description:

“A game about fantasy.

Don’t Look Back is a short game I made in 2009.

This is a completely free game, not “free to play”; there are no in-app purchases or any of that nonsense.”

It may not be the most detailed description, but seemed perfectly suitable (and humorous) for a free flash game. It’s pretty rotten that Apple would prohibit a listing a game from a respected independent developer simply because of an innocent comment about the abhorrent state of microtransactions.

After removing the line and re-submitting the game simply with the description “Don’t Look Back is a short game I made in 2009.”, it was quickly approved.